3. Branches of Agriculture

 Branches of Agriculture

    Agriculture is a very vast field but here we discussed 19 major branches of agriculture that are used often. These are discussed below:

1. Agronomy
2. Horticulture
3. Plant Pathology
4. Plant breeding and genetics 
5. Entomology
6. Seed science
7. Crop physiology
8. Plant protection
9. Soil sciences 
10. Agriculture biotechnology
11. Agriculture Engineering
12. Agriculture Economics 
13. Forestry
14. Food science and technology
15. Land and water management
16. Agricultural Microbiology
17. Environmental Sciences 
18. Animal husbandry
19. Agricultural chemistry

 

 

Briefly, a discussion of each field is given below:

1. Agronomy: 

    The cultivation of crops for food, fiber, forage, and sugar production falls under the purview of this agricultural branch. Its main goal is to improve agricultural productivity and advance cropping methods, making it a crucial and fundamental aspect of agriculture. This field encompasses a diverse range of agricultural practices, which includes but is not limited to permaculture, aquaponics, and polyhouse farming.

Agronomy is further divided into 2 branches:

• Weed science:

    This discipline focuses on the growth and management of vegetation in diverse settings, such as agricultural areas, natural zones, and urban and critical regions.

• Organic farming:

   Organic farming is a technique for cultivating plants and raising animals in a natural and sustainable way. This practice prioritizes the use of biological materials, promotes soil fertility and ecological stability, minimizes waste, and reduces environmental pollution. Additionally, organic farming encompasses the study of microgreens, among other areas.

2. Horticulture:

    This agricultural branch pertains to the cultivation of plants that have direct use to humans, such as for food, medicine, and aesthetic purposes.

This branch also has the following subbranches:

• Pomology:

    The cultivation of fruits is the focus of pomology.

• Olericulture:

   while the cultivation of vegetables is known as olericulture. 

• Floriculture:

    Floriculture, on the other hand, pertains to the cultivation of roses and other ornamental plants. 

• Arboriculture:

  Horticulture is a branch of agriculture that deals with the selection, planting, care, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other perennial woody plants.

• Landscaping:

    Deals with the production, presentation, and care of landscapes and other flowers and plants. 

• Viticulture:

    The cultivation and retailing of grapes are known as viticulture. 

3. Plant Pathology:

  This agricultural branch focuses on the causes of diseases and instabilities in plants, as well as methods for treating plant diseases. It involves an in-depth examination of how plant pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, attack plants and the measures that can be taken to control their spread.

4. Plant Breeding and Genetics:

    This agricultural field involves the application of scientific and artistic techniques to modify the genetic structure and traits of plants, with the aim of achieving desired characteristics. By utilizing these techniques, it is possible to develop a wide range of crop varieties with improved resistance to pests and diseases, resulting in increased agricultural productivity.

5. Entomology:

  This field of agriculture pertains to the study of insects and other pests that significantly impact agricultural practices. It involves a detailed examination of the biological characteristics, behavior, and ecological interactions of various pests, as well as the measures that can be taken to manage their populations and mitigate their harmful effects on crops.

Further discussion of entomology is given below: 

• Insect Ecology:

    This area of agriculture focuses on exploring the relationship between insects and their surrounding environment. It involves in-depth research and analysis of various ecosystems to understand the existence, behavior, and ecological interactions of insects in their natural habitats. 

• Insect Morphology:

   This agricultural branch is concerned with the study of the external body parts of insects and their functions. It focuses on the anatomy and morphology of insects, particularly the structure and function of their outer body parts.

• Insect physiology: 

   This field of agriculture focuses on the study of the different physiological functions and behavioral systems of insects. It involves an in-depth analysis of the diverse behaviors exhibited by insects in their natural environment and how these behaviors are related to their physiological processes.

• Insect Toxicology: 

    This agricultural field pertains to the study of the effects of insecticides and other chemicals on the physiological functions of insects. It involves an in-depth examination of how these chemicals interact with the biological systems of insects, and the impact that these interactions have on their behavior and health.

• Insect Taxonomy: 

    Insect taxonomy is a practice of insect naming. 

• Biological Control Entomology: 

   This agricultural practice involves the use of living insects to control or eliminate populations of harmful insects. It is a highly effective technique with significant economic benefits.

• Forest Entomology: 

    This agricultural field pertains to the study of the effects of insects on forests and forest products, as well as the development of solutions to protect forest trees from significant damage. It involves an in-depth examination of the ecological interactions between insects and forest ecosystems and the impact that these interactions have on forest health and productivity.

• Forensic Entomology: 

    This branch of agriculture involves the study of insects for legal purposes, with a focus on the use of insects to determine the time and location of human death. It involves an in-depth examination of the ecological interactions between insects and decomposing human remains, and how this can be used to provide critical information for forensic investigations.

6. Seed science: 

    This agricultural branch is concerned with the study of the structure of seeds and their growth habitats, starting from fertilization, embryonic development, and subsequent growth into a mature plant. It is closely related to the fields of biotechnology and botany and involves an in-depth examination of the genetic and physiological mechanisms that regulate seed development and growth.

7. Crop Physiology: 

   This agricultural field pertains to the study of the functions and responses of plants to various environmental conditions, including factors such as temperature, water availability, nutrient levels, and atmospheric composition. It involves an in-depth examination of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms that regulate plant growth and development in different environmental contexts.

 

8. Plant Protection: 

      Plant protection refers to the various methods and techniques used to protect plants from pests, diseases, and other forms of damage, and to ensure their optimal growth and productivity. It includes a range of practices, such as the use of pesticides, biological controls, and cultural and mechanical techniques, as well as the development of disease-resistant plant varieties and the implementation of good agricultural practices to prevent plant stress and maintain plant health.

9. Soil sciences: 

    Soil science is a field of study that focuses on the properties, composition, and characteristics of soil, as well as the biological, physical, and chemical processes that occur within it. It involves an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on knowledge from fields such as geology, chemistry, biology, and physics to understand the formation, structure, and function of soils. Soil scientists examine the physical and chemical properties of soils, as well as their interactions with the atmosphere, water, and plants, and use this knowledge to develop sustainable practices for managing soil resources and maintaining soil health.

Sub-Branches of soil sciences are:

• Soil Biology:

    This branch of study concerns the organisms that inhabit the earth, their biology, functions, and activities. It includes a wide range of living organisms, such as nematodes, insects, and other types of fauna and flora. The focus of this field is to understand the relationships and interactions between organisms and their environment, including their roles in various ecosystems, their behaviors, and the impact of human activities on their populations.

• Soil Mineralogy: 

  This branch of study focuses on the various types of primary and secondary minerals found in soil and their contribution to the physical and chemical structure of the soil. It also includes the study of soil fertility and the various biological processes that occur within the soil, including nutrient cycling, microbial interactions, and the impact of human activities on soil health. 

• Soil Pedology: 

    Soil formation is the result of a complex process that involves the weathering of rocks and minerals, as well as various biological, chemical, and physical factors that influence the formation of soil. 

10. Agriculture biotechnology: 

  This branch of science involves the use of advanced scientific techniques and tools, such as genetic engineering, molecular markers, vaccines, and tissue culture, to manipulate the genetic material of living organisms for the purpose of improving or developing new organisms, such as crops and livestock.

11. Agriculture engineering: 

    It works with agriculture machinery for preparation, sowing, harvesting, and post-harvesting operations counting water and soil protection technologies and bioenergy.

This branch is further divided into 3 subs. branches which are given below: 

• Agricultural mechanization
• Farm power and machinery
• Farm structure

12. Agriculture economics:

    An applied economic field that studies human behavior concerning the relationship between food and fiber production and distribution.

13. Forestry:

    It is engaged in the extensive cultivation/farming of perennial plants for the supply of rubber, timber, etc. as well as industrial raw materials.

It has the following 6 branches: 

• Agroforestry
• Rangeland management
• Wildlife management
• Analog forestry
• Forest gardening
• Forest farming

14. Food science and technology:

    It uses a variety of approaches to study the composition of food, processing, packaging, and selection of existing food products.

Branches: 

• Food and nutrition

15. Land and water management:

    It is the process of management and expansion of land resources. Resources are mainly used for organic farming, water management, reforestation, and ecotourism projects.

Branches:

• Soil and water conservation
• Irrigation and drainage

16. Agriculture microbiology:

    This branch of microbiology deals with the study of microorganisms that are responsible for causing diseases in plants and animals. It also involves the study of soil microbiology, particularly the role of microorganisms in restoring soil fertility through processes such as microbial decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling in the soil.

17. Environmental Sciences:

    The field mixes biological, physical, and informational science in the study of the environment and solving ecological problems.

Branches: 

• Energy and environment
• Agro meteorology

18. Animal Husbandry:

    Branch of agriculture engaged in the agriculture exercise of breeding and rearing livestock to provide people with food, energy (drafts), and crop manure.

Branches: 

• Dairy farming
• Sericulture
• Fishery
• Mariculture
• Nematology
• Apiculture
• Poultry
• Nomadic pastoralism

19. Agriculture Chemistry:

    This branch of agriculture deals with the chemistry involved in agriculture, including organic and biochemistry, food processing, and the production of desired foods and beverages. It also involves the use of chemistry in environmental restoration.

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10. Forestry

 Forestry:

Definition:

    The forestry profession includes the science and practice of establishing, managing, using, and conserving forests, trees, and related resources sustainably to fulfill desired goals, needs, and values.

By visiting this link you can easily understand the career and scope of forestry: 1

Ancient history:

At least 750,000 years ago, Homo erectus was thought to have used wood for fire. The Kalambo Falls site in Tanzania contains the earliest indication of the use of timber for building, which dates to about 60,000 years ago. Scattered trees along riverbanks were used just like they are today: for fuel, construction, and handles for tools. These early structured towns were situated along streams that flowed across the dry regions of India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. The Hebrew Bible's authors frequently discuss the use of wood. Images of the wooden plow and other wooden instruments being used to prepare the soil for sowing can be seen in Egyptian tombs. Wooden boats were constructed by carpenters and shipbuilders as early as 2700 BCE.

The Romans were very interested in trees and brought tree seedlings from all over the Mediterranean and Germany, creating groves that were similar to those in Carthage, Lebanon, and other places. When the Roman Empire fell, conservation efforts in the Mediterranean region came to an end, and unrestricted sheep and goat grazing, fires, and cutting, which led to the devastation of the forests, returned. In turn, this led to significant soil erosion, the silting of streams and harbors, and the transformation of the forest into the maquis, a scrubby brush cover.

The modern development in the field of Forestry:

Formal education in forestry began about 1825 when private forestry schools were established. These were the outgrowth of the old master schools such as Cotta Master School, which developed into the forestry college at Tharandt—one of the leading forestry schools in Germany. The National School of Forestry was established in Nancy, France, in 1825.

German foresters had such a strong reputation in the 19th century that they were employed throughout the majority of continental European nations. Early American foresters received their education in European institutions, including the famed conservationist Gifford Pinchot. The philosophy of responsible control, however, had to struggle against timber traders looking for rapid riches. In China, although woods originally covered over 30% of the country's area, decades of overlogging, overgrazing, and fires have brought this proportion to a low of only about 7%. China has made significant efforts to improve land usage, including the building of reservoirs and a massive program of forest planting that expanded wooded areas to 20% by 2015.

Occurrence and distribution:

Closed forests of broad-leaved and coniferous species and open forests or savannas encompass around 4,000,000,000 hectares or about one-third of the world's total land area. Because different tree species have different traits, local factors largely affect the type and distribution of forests around the world. There is an odd alliance of trees and other vegetation that is best suited to compete with other plants for that site for each combination of temperature, rainfall, and soil. With forest along streams and scatted single trees or tiny groves, the open forest is typically a tropical grassland that has been disturbed by fire. Closed thorn forests frequently surround savannahs.

In particular, in heavily populated areas, trees outside of areas designated as forestland, such as those in windbreaks, along rights-of-way, or around farm fields, are valuable resources. For instance, farmers in Rwanda maintain woodlots and pastures with trees on about 20% of the country's farmland. The aggregate area of the nation's natural forests, state plantations, and municipal plantations is greater than these dispersed tree areas. Over 90% of the farms in Kenya's Kakamega District have scattered trees that are kept trimmed for fuelwood and animal fodder. Even in France, where wood for fuel is not commonly used, trees outside of forests cover over 883,000 hectares.

Importance of Forestry:

1. It is bringing back forests:

Forests used to be cut down and left untended. Currently, 1.7 billion seedlings are planted worldwide on average each year. This translates to six saplings being planted for each tree that is harvested.

2. Maintain water quality:

Watersheds are managed carefully by foresters. These are the places where we get our drinking water, as well as riparian zones, which are the lands that border lakes, rivers, and streams. Foresters in these places place a high priority on protecting the purity of the water. Forests contribute to the natural processes that clean water so that it is safe for us to drink. These processes involve the trees, soil, and microorganisms. The soils that are essential for water retention, filtration, and quality are protected and nurtured by forest cover.

3. Remove air pollution:

A mature tree can take in roughly 13 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. This indicates that a forest removes 1.47 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every tonne of wood it produces.

4. Helps wildlife:

Different methods are used by foresters to help wildlife. For instance, thinning and harvesting foster the development of numerous food sources.

5. Good for soil maintenance:

For the growth and management of forests, forestry professionals and managers of natural resources rely on soils. The ability of foresters to understand soil qualities, match species with soils, and prescribe practices that not only promote forest growth but also increase and protect soil productivity and minimize soil erosion are all essential to successfully growing forests and producing forest products.

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